The European Union membership is a huge chance for the Romanian nation, Romania's President Traian Basescu said on returning home from Brussels and Strasbourg on Saturday.

"I have a feeling of satisfaction but also of worry, since we should not fall into the trap of rejoice and forget that we have a chance we must not miss; our tenacity in attaining the next goals should stay at least as strong as it was when it came about joining the EU", Basescu said.

The Romanian leader took part in the winter European Council held on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, while earlier on Saturday he visited the Strasbourg Christmas Fair, where Romania was this year's special guest.

Basescu reiterated that the only phrase having a major significance for the Romanians is the one in the final document of the Brussels meeting: "The European Council wishes a warm welcome to Romania and Bulgaria, as EU members from January 1, 2007."

Source: Xinhua